Systematic Theology 1

Ugh. I received my distance learning packets a few weeks ago with the two bible classes I elected to take. Life Pacific requires I take 4 bible classes before I start the degree completion program so this is my way to test the waters and see if I'm really going to do this. So the one I'm really enjoying is Intro to Biblical Literature. I'm learning about the bible in a much deeper way that I'm really enjoying. I'm amazed at how the little things I didn't know make so much more sense now.
So the other class I'm taking is Systematic Theology 1. Alex told me this would be a great class for me to take to understand Christian theology better. Okay, so maybe I shouldn't have listened to Alex! Just kidding. To tell you the truth, I'm intimidated. This is what the beginning of the course description says:
"Systematic Theology 1 is a study of the sources, methods, and doctrines of Christian theology. Particular attention for this study will be given in the areas of Theology Proper (study of the doctrine of God), Christology (study of the person of Christ), Anthropology (study of the doctrine of man), Hamartiology (study of the doctrine of sin)."

Christology?!? Harmartiology?!? What have I gotten myself into!

White Coat Ceremony

So last weekend was the official "White Coat Ceremony" at Touro where all the new students get their white lab coats and the official title of "student-doctor". It was a nice ceremony very similar to a graduation.

Alex's parents and grandma came up to be at the ceremony and we had a really nice time! We all had dinner at our apartment on Saturday night, than went out to ice cream for desert! Sunday was the white coat ceremony and afterward we went to Alex's favorite restaurant "Dead Fish" for and early dinner. His grandma was very generous and invited Alex's close friend from school, Max, and his sister Monica.

I'll post more when life becomes more interesting! So far life's consisted of studying (Alex) and working (Me).

I Bagged a Coach!

I'm off on a Saturday! Can you believe it - its practically a miracle! LOL. Actually I'm only kinda off - I have to go in for a work meeting at 2:30 to 4:30. bah humbug! oh well, I'm enjoying it while its lasts :)

We had a great time with Rose and Jesse last weekend while they were staying with us. I had to work on Friday and Saturday while they were here, but we were able to fit in some quality shopping time at the outlets. And Rose and I each both got our "first" Coach purses! And before some of you gasp at the use of my clothing budget, let me explain the purchase:

I had been eyeing a certain Coach purse since i saw a customer at work with it. It had a strap so you can wear it across your body, and the bag was just big enough to fit what I needed but small enough that I wouldn't be throwing out my back by carrying it. When I went online to look at the prices, I decided I could do without. The one I had wanted was around $150 - a good price for a Coach purse, but not something I could justify for myself. Well Rose has been wanting one as well but was facing the same dilemma as me with the price, so we decided to go to the Coach Outlet in Napa. It was crazy in there! Lots of people and lots of purses! We looked at several, before we found the clearance rack (mama taught me well!). Then I saw it - a purse exactly like what I had been wanting before on the "Additional 50% off" shelf! So I did the math and purse would only be $60! I could afford that! So I used over half of my monthly clothing budget to buy this purse (Alex just rolls his eyes because he really doesn't get it). Rose found a similar deal on a bag bigger than mine but with the same fabric. I figured that that's what I would have spent on two purses at Sears so I could justify it in my own mind. I REALLY love my purse!!!

SIGN MY GUESTBOOK!!!

Hey Everyone! If you've noticed I've rearranged our page and added some things. One of those things is a guestbook! Please sign it to let me know you stopped by!

Thanks bunches!

Janna

Books and Scrubs

I went to the rental office ot pick up a package they had for us - turned out to be 3 packages - all of Alex's books! I got my strength training in today just walking back to our apartment. Turns our those 3 package held 6 textbooks!

Today was my day off and it was so nice to be able to get stuff done! I was able to run all my errands, clean the house, do the laundry, play with the dogs, and even finally put pictures in the frames that I’ve been meaning to hang up ever since we move here. Yey for productivity! Seriously though, Alex was gone from 8am to 9pm – what else was I to do?!?

Last night was our first shopping trip for scrubs.
We went to the Walmart next to our apartments but they didn’t have the light blue color that one of his classmates said they had to get (the color the residence in Grey’s Anatomy wear). So we drove to Vallejo to Costco to see if they carried scrubs still – no such luck – they discontinued selling them a few months ago. So we decided to drive out to Walmart in Fairfield and -ta da! – we found them in his size and the right color. I just had to do a little hemming to get the leangth right and they are perfect. (Found out today that he could wear any color blue so I’m going to get him the navy pair so that my “McDreamy” nickname for him really fits J)

Anatomy lab starts Friday! Its still hard to believe that after all this time, he is halfway thru his first week of MEDICAL SCHOOL!!!!

Back to School!!!

Alex started med school orientation today, and so far so good. His actually classes start on Thursday. He also has two more weeks of the summer MPH classes, so that means he's at Touro from 8am -9pm until his summer classes are out. I should become very familiar with the term "med-school widow" this week!

So July flew by for us, as I had stated in my previous post, but I'm looking forward for what August has in store. Alex's sister and her husband are visiting this weekend so we are excited about being able to spend some time with them.


The bank is finally fully staffed so I'm working between 35-40 hrs a week now, much better than the 45hr a week I was working in May and June. The even gave me all labor day weekend off so that's something I'm looking forward to.

I've also decided to finish my bachelor's degree. I've currently applied at Life Bible College's Degree Completion Program. They are located in Southern Cal but they have a program where I can complete my degree (AS to BA) in Ministry and Leadership from online one night a week. I've had an itch to finish my Bachelor's for a few years now and I think I've finally found the one major that I can't say "but what if I never use it?". For several years now I've felt a burden for women who struggle with infertility like I do. I've spoken with friends who have the same struggle and I'm amazed at how hard it is for women with this burden to find support at church - mainly because no one (especially women going through infertility) wants to talk about it. So I'm following where I feel God is leading me. And for right now that means a degree in Ministry and Leadership. I 'm really looking forward to what God has in store for us as I continue to pursue my education.

Yum... BBQ!!!

We were craving home cooked BBQ like my dad makes and knowing that Alex starts classes tomorrow we decided to do something a little special to celebrate. So I called dad and got some good tips on how to make an excellent tri tip. First we headed over to Walmart to get a BBQ ($17 on clearance – woo hoo!), Charcoal, a charcoal chimney, and a tri tip (yes, I love having a Super Walmart* so close that we walk to buy groceries). Than Alex drove to Safeway to get seasoning (they didn’t carry the one we liked at Walmart) while I set up the BBQ. I followed the directions just as dad told me (after many phone calls throughout the process – thanks dad!) and we ended up with the best tri tip I’ve ever made!!!! So hats off to the Master of the Grill – my dad! He is defiantly the one to call if you want some seriously good BBQ eats!

(*disclaimer – I have never been a big fan of Walmart. In Fresno, I would rarely go into one. But considering the nearest Target is 8 miles away, and involves getting on three freeways, and that gas was $4.13 a gallon last time I filled up, the Super Walmart next to our Apartment that we can walk to has become one of my favorite places for economical reasons. I mean where else can you go and buy slacks for work and chicken for dinner at the same time?)